Woman dies after Amtrak train crashes into SUV in JCC

NORGE, Va. (WAVY) — A woman has died after an Amtrak train crashed into an SUV in the Norge area of James City County Monday.

The crash happened around 4:30 p.m.

A 2019 Toyota Highlander crossed the railroad tracks on a private road crossing at Peach Street, failing to stop at the sign controlling the crossing and failing to yield the right of way to the oncoming Amtrak train, a Virginia State Police spokesperson said.

Sarah Jones Mazariegos was the driver of the Highlander. She died as a result of the crash, State Police said. None the 90 people aboard the train reported any injuries. A relative said Mazariegos was 31, while Virginia State Police said Mazariegos was 32. State Police originally reported she was 39.

The Northeast Regional Train 186 departed the Williamsburg station not long before the crash, according to Amtrak's website. It was bound for New York.

"As of 6:44 p.m. ET, Train 186 remains stopped north of Newport News (NPN) due to an unauthorized vehicle coming in contact with the train," an alert posted on Amtrak.com said. "Local emergency responders continue working to complete their investigation. A tow truck has arrived to remove the vehicle from the tracks, and railroad crews will complete a track inspection before service can resume. We sincerely appreciate your continued patience during this extended delay and will provide updates as information becomes available."

A spokesperson with CSX released a statement following the incident, which can be read in full below:

At CSX, safety is our highest priority in the communities we serve, and we extend our deepest sympathies to everyone impacted by this tragic incident. CSX works relentlessly to prevent injuries and accidents through education, enforcement, engineering and advocacy at all levels. Our goal is to have zero incidents on our network, so one crossing collision is too many. We want everyone to return home to their families safely, whether they work for us or live in the communities where we operate. Railroads handle the installation and maintenance of active warning devices at grade crossings. However, they do not decide whether such devices are installed or what type of device is chosen. Those determinations are generally made by the road authority or by the individual landowners of private crossings. The advance warning signage in place at this crossing is consistent with private crossings across the country. To stay safe around railroad tracks, we urge motorists and pedestrians to always give their full attention when approaching railroad crossings and take the time to look and listen for oncoming trains. Above all, drivers should always adhere to the posted roadway traffic signs. Sheriee Bowman, Senior Manager at CSX

James City County Police and the James City County Fire Department also responded to the scene.

Check with WAVY.com for updates.